Neck key for saxophones



Aug. 12, 1958 H. LFEvRE-SELMER 2,846,917

NECK KEY FOR sAxoPHoNE's Filed July 18, 1955 E g. j

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KQCgQGaw- E zr S Claims. (Si, 'cid-385) This invention relates to improvements in a neck key for saxophones and similar instruments, and more particularly to a new type key for use on saxophones and similar instruments having an octave hole in the curvate neck portion of the instrument, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

ln the past, many and various types of key mechanisms have been devised for controlling the opening and closing of an octave hole in the neck portion of a saxophone or similar instrument. .in some instances, these formerly known key mechanisms comprised a ring suspended from a pivoted lever arm carrying a key pad on the end opposite the ring. ln other instances, a rf-key was employed for this purpose, and while the Y -key presented a number of advantages over the true ring encircling the neck of the instrument, the rf-key did not permit rotative adjustment of the neck relatively to the body of the instrument to any reasonable degree unless the key mechanism was revised or adjusted so that free actuation of the key controlling the octave hole could result. ln addition, keys of this character heretofore known were most frequently constructed or fabricated from several pieces of material, thereby adding to the cost of manufacture and also producing a structure which might require repair within a relatively short interval of time. In addition, with neck keys of the type heretofore used, ditiiculty was experienced in getting an easily actuable and yet accurate and quick acting spring control for the key, and the pivot mechanism as used heretofore required the equivalent of pivot posts upon the neck piece between which a pivot rod secured to the key might rotate, this latter construction being objectionably diflicult to properly mount upon a curvate neck piece, and particularly upon one of relatively small diameter. As a consequence, the provision of a neck key for an instrument such as a saxophone heretofore, was coupled with difficulty and expense in manufacture and assembly, extreme difficulty in making an adjustment, and one in which the spring action was not by any means all that is desired.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a neck key for a saxophone or the like, which key is made of one piece in its entirety, with the single exception of the key pad carried on the end thereof over the tone hole in the neck of the instrument.

Another object resides in the provision of a neck key so constructed as to eliminate the need of adjustment when the neck piece is rotated relatively to the body of the instrument.

Another feature of the instant invention is the provision of a neck key for a saxophone or the like, so constructed to permit relative rotation of the neck of the instrument in respect to the body of the instrument throughout approximately 180 degrees without requiring any adjustment of the key mechanism, and without detracting from actuation of the neck key from control means on the body of the instrument.

2,846,917 Patented Aug- 12 1958 Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a new type neck key for a saxophone or the like having an improved spring construction insuring positive, rapid, and yet easy action of the key at all times.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a neck key for a saxophone or similar instrument in which the hinge or tubular piece on which the key heretofore rotated, may be secured directly to the neck n of the instrument in an easy and economical manner, while the hinge pin itself passes through the tubular element and is secured to integral ears on the key.

It is also a feature of the invention to provide a new neck key for a saxophone or similar instrument which not only possesses numerous advantages as above explained over similar keys heretofore used, but also presents a more pleasing appearance, adding to the overall attractiveness of the entire instrument.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a fragmentary elevational view showing the upper body and neck piece of a musical instrument such as a saxophone, equipped with aeneck key embodying principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is also a fragmentary elevational view taken from the right of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line ll--Ill of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line lV-IV of Fig. 1.

As shown on the drawings:

By way of example the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention is shown incorporated in a saxophone which includes a tubular body part 1, and a neck piece 2 which telescopes into the upper portion of the body part and is secured therein by means of a suitable circumscribing clamp 3 (Fig. 3) which may be tightened around the upper portion of the body by means of the set screw 4, in the usual manner.

The neck piece 2 has an octave hole therein surrounded by an annular elevation S. The instant invention is mainly in regard to key mechanism, and particularly a neck key, for selectively opening and closing that octave hole.

Means for actuating a neck key are carried by the body l of the instrument. ln the illustrated instance, these means include a thumb key 6 tixedly connected to a hinge rod 7 mounted between suitable posts on the body l. The hinge rod '7 has fixed thereto and extending therefrom a yoke lever 3, the free end of which is slotted or bifurated to receive the end of a pivot rod 9, which oscillates in a plane normal to the axis of the body 1 by eans of a pivot pin 1G extending through an enlargement ll on the rod 9, and anchored in a suitable post 12 `opstanding from the body 1. The opposite end of the pivot rod 9 engages the inside of an arm 13 secured at one end to a hinge rod 14, and on its free end this arm carries an upstanding post l5 which actuates the neck key to be described later herein.

When the thumb key o is pressed downwardly or inwardly toward the body of the instrument, the yoke arm or lever 8 has its free end moved toward the body, bearing down on the adjacent end of the pivot rod 9, and causing that pivot rod to move away from the body at its opposite end and consequently move the arm 13 outwardly around the hinge rod i4, and consequently move the post l5 away from the body of the instrument. Such movement of the post away from the body of the instrument efects the opening of the octave hole in the neck piece 2.

The neck key itself is preferably made of a single piece of material, with the sole exception cf a pad for closing the tone hole at S in the neck piece. As se n in the drawings, the neck piece includes an elongated portion 17 which extends toward the tone hole 5 and carries the pad 16, an enlarged intermediate portion 18, and a loop portion 19 which encircles the neck piece 2, and inside of which the aforesaid actuating post or pin 15' extends.

Frorn the showing in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the enlarged central portion 18 has a pair of inwardly turne opposed ears Zit-Ztl through which a removable key rod 2li extends and is aiixed to the ears. This key rod 2l. extends through a tubular hinge 22 soldered or eqn-.ivalently secured to a mounting plate 23 on the neck piece 2. Heretofore, the practice has been to secure the hinge, such as the hinge 22, directly to the neck key, but the instant structure is far more eicient, easier to assemble and remove, and provides a better freedom of and smoothness of operation.

A curvate spring 24 is secured to the neck key at one end as indicated at 25, extends over the hinge 22, and has a free upwardly bent end 26 riding on the mounting plate 23 between a pair of spaced projections 27. When the neck key is pivoted to open the tone hole at 5, the end 26 of the spring slides between the projections, and when the neck key is released, the spring automatically restores it to hole closing position. A spring so mounted is longer lived than the customary mounting of springs as heretofore used, and gives easy, positive, and rapid action of the neck key. This spring arrangement alords a denite advantage over the old structure with the spring between the hinge and the body or neck piece as used heretofore, in that the key has less tendency to bounce.

Another important feature of my new neck key resides in the shaping of the loop 19. It will be seen from the showing in Fig. 1,`that the sides of the loop curve downwardly and rearwardly and terminate in a closure portion 28 that extends substantially laterally or in a plane at right angles to the axis of the control pin 15'. This is a shaping distinctly different than heretofore used with previous neck keys or so-called Y-keys. With the instant arrangement, as seen best in Fig. 3, the neck piece 2 carrying the key may be adjusted rotatively relatively to the body 1 through an angle of substantially 180 degrecs with the control pin 15 always extending inside the loop of the neck key in position to properly actuate that key. For this relatively wide angular adjustment or positioning of the neck piece relatively to the body, there is no need to adjust any of the neck key mechanism for proper actuation of that key. The shaping of the key in the loop portion 28 insures adequate operation of the key regardless of the angle of the neck piece relatively to the body within the aforesaid range. Thus, the musician may dispose the neck piece at whatever angle to the body he may deem best for his own particular use. Should another musician pick up the instrument, and desire a different angle between the neck piece and the body, he may readily acquire the desired angle without adjusting any of the mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a novel, highly attractive, and highly eicient neck key for a saxophone, woodwind instrument, or the like. The key permits suitable positioning of the neck piece relatively to the body to satisfy any player, is simple in actuation, smooth in operation, and extremely long lived.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

i claim as my invention:

l. In a musical instrument such as a saxophone, a neck piece, a transversely disposed tubular hinge iixedly mounted on said neck piece, a neck key, inwardly turned spaced ears on said key, and a key rod connected betweeen said ears and extending through said hinge for pivotal movement of said key.

2. In a musical instrument such as a saxophone, a neck piece, a tubular hinge lixedly mounted on said neck piece, a neck key, inwardly turned spaced ears on said key, a key rod connected between said ears and extending through said hinge for pivotal movement of said key, spring means carried by said key and extending over said hinge, said spring means having a free end slidable on said neck piece when the key is pivoted, and guide means on said neck piece to maintain the free end of said spring in proper position.

3. In a neck key construction for a musical instrument such as a saxophone, a one-piece key member on the neck piece of the instrument adjacent the elbow thereof, a pair of inwardly turned ears on said member in an intermediate location to receive a key pivot rod, an elongated end portion on said member extending away from said ears toward the mouthpiece end of the neck piece, and a loop extending the other way from said ears encircling the neck piece below the elbow and having a laterally extending closure portion permitting an angular variation between the neck piece and instrument body of approximately 18@ degrees, a tubular hinge fixed on the neck piece, and a key rod extending through said hinge and connected to said ears.

4. In a musical instrument such as a saxophone, a neck piece, a tubular hinge lixedly mounted on said neck piece transversely thereof, a neck key, inwardly extending ears on said neck key, a key rod connected to said ears and extending through said hinge for pivotal movement of said key, a spring secured at one end to the underside of said neck key and extending over said hinge, the other end of said spring being free for sliding contact on said neck piece.

5. In a musical instrument such as a saxophone, a neck piece, a tubular hinge iixedly mounted on said neck piece transversely thereof, a neck key, inwardly extending ears on said neck key, a key rod connected to said ears and extending through said hinge for pivotal movement of said key, a spring secured at one end to the underside of said neck key and extending over said hinge, the other end of said spring being free for sliding contact on said neck piece, a loop on said neck key encircling said neck piece and having a laterally extending portion permitting an annular variation between said neck picce and the body of the instrument approximately degrees, said neck key including the loop and said ears being one piece.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 145,892 Gillespie Nov. 12, 1946 1,662,196 `Loomis Mar. 13, 1928 2,227,230 Sander Dec, 31, 1940 2,394,143 Broekman Feb. 5, 1946 2,425,796 Gillespie Aug. 19, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 671,054 France Aug. 26, 1929 

